Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/248

216 For the past half hour the boy's thoughts had been similar to those of his down-east friend. Everything about the warship pleased him, and to behold the glorious stars and stripes floating over such a well-trained body of American tars filled his heart with patriotism. Then, too, he remembered what his brothers had written, that if war came, one intended to enter the navy and the other the army. Here was his chance to jump into active duty for his beloved country. Should he let such a chance slip by?

"I, too, will remain on board, if you will have me," he said, his clear eyes gazing fully into those which were turned upon him as if to read his very thoughts. " I have two brothers in the States who said they would go into service if there was a call to arms. I have never been on a man-o'-war before, but I am willing to learn my duty, and I'll fight for all I am worth, if I'm called on to do it."

"Good! That's the kind of talk I like to hear, Russell. The man who is willing to do his whole duty—to do exactly as he is told to do—is the man we are after. To be sure, you are rather young for regular service, but, considering the manner in which you came on board, we'll not let that count